The beleaguered French left held its first televised debate on Thursday ahead of next month's primary vote to chose who will represent the Socialist party in presidential elections. Polls suggested that former Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg was narrowly viewed as the winner of a tense debate that illustrated how fractured the party has become.

Ex-Prime Minister Manuel Valls said that the Socialists needed to show France that "the left is still useful." Although Valls has the most government experience, surveys show that he faces fierce competition from Montebourg and from Benoit Hamon. The latter is a former member of the administration of current President Francois Hollande, himself a Socialist, who has gone on to be highly critical of both Hollande and Valls.

Hamon was not the only one decrying the rule of France's current leader in the dense two and a half hour debate. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, - a high-profile Socialist voice currently serving as Paris mayor but not a presidential candidate - called Hollande's four years in office as an "immense waste."

Uncertain future

Things are looking grim for the French left. Polls show that were the election to be held today, the Socialists would come in a humiliating fifth place.

The party is lagging behind two former Socialists who have since broken with the leftists and decided to run as independents. One is Hollande's former protege Emmanuel Macron, also an ex-economy minister, who is currently polling in third behind center-right Republican candidate Francois Fillon and far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen.

Towards the end of the Socialists' debate, "winner" Montebourg cautioned the left-wing against abandoning hope that progressivism could prevail in France.

"We can win it in four months," he said optimistically, "our biggest enemy is defeatism."

The primary for the Socialist Party will take place on January 22, with a run-off planned for January 29 if necessary. Valls is expected to win the nomination by a small margin.

French election: The major players

Emmanuel Macron

Macron quit as economy minister in August and launched his independent presidential bid in November. The 39-year-old centrist formed his own political movement, En Marche (Forward), and is seen as a reformer. Despite having never held elected office, polls have predicted his win in the final round of voting in May. He's voiced admiration for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's refugee policy.

French election: The major players

Marine Le Pen

The National Front leader has adopted a more moderate tone than her anti-Semitic father, party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen. But she still takes a hard line on immigration, saying children of irregular migrants should not have access to public education. She also wants France to withdraw from the eurozone and have a referendum on EU membership. It's predicted she'll advance to the second round.

French election: The major players

Francois Fillon

A surprise winner of the right-wing Republicans primaries, the socially conservative Fillon is seen to represent the interests of France's Catholic middle class. An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, he supports a liberal economic policy. Though Penelopegate and other scandals have marred Fillon's campaign, he has professed no wrongdoing and vowed to fight on.

French election: The major players

Benoit Hamon

In a runoff against former French PM Manuel Valls in the Socialist primary, Hamon was the more left-wing choice of the two politicians. The 49-year-old supports a universal basic income and wants to shorten the traditional work week. He has also spoken in support of increased investment in renewable energy. He faces an uphill battle as many socialist politicians have voiced support for Macron.

French election: The major players

Jean-Luc Melenchon

The Left Party's candidate landed fourth in the 2012 presidential elections. Melenchon, a current European Parliament member, believes the bloc's economic liberalism has stifled France. He hopes to profit from the center-left's disarray, but may split votes with socialist Hamon. Supported by the French Communist party, Melenchon advocates a shorter work week and climate protection.